Three packaging trends to look out for in 2020

The packaging industry is changing! With the ever-growing concern about the environment and climate change, big brands are transforming their packaging to be more sustainable. Also, as technology grows at a rapid rate, packaging is becoming ‘smarter’ with more and more brands using augmented reality to enhance customer experience.

2020 is shaping up to be another exciting year for the packaging industry, let’s discuss some key trends to keep an eye on throughout the year.

Focus on sustainability!

As you may be aware, environmentally friendly packaging was a very popular topic in 2019 and there’s no doubt that it will continue to be a hot topic for years to come. A recent report by WRAP highlighted that the demand for recycled content in plastic packaging has increased as brands implement procedures to reduce the environmental impact of their packaging.

Companies such as McDonald’s have announced that 100% of their guest packaging will come from renewable, recycled or certified sources by 2025. With big brands announcing their commitment to sustainable packaging, consumers are becoming increasingly aware. Our 2019 unboxing survey found that close to 40% of consumers thought that their packaging was not environmentally friendly.

We can expect the demand for sustainable packaging solutions to surge over the next five years as more and more organisations are recognising that incorporating a sustainable packaging design will welcome the reduction in overall carbon footprint figures.

eCommerce packaging is transforming!

The eCommerce industry is growing at a rapid rate and the high street is feeling the effects of this growth. UK consumers spent £106.46 billion online in 2019, this made up 22.3% of all retail spend, a percentage that is expected to reach 27.9% in 2023.

This rapid growth of the eCommerce industry has influenced packaging, particularly design and customer experience. Many brands are being put to the test when it comes to creating a memorable unboxing experience. Using innovative and creative ways to package products is the way to go in 2020, especially with more and more unboxing videos appearing online.

Smart packaging is growing!

With the introduction of augmented reality, the concept of ‘smart packaging’ is ever-growing and many big brands are adopting this technology to further enhance the customer experience. This innovative type of packaging can have a long-lasting impression on consumers and often provides the ‘wow’ factor.

If you would like to find out more about how augmented reality can be used for packaging read our blog: “How to make the most of your packaging with augmented reality”

If you would like to speak to a packaging professional about transforming your packaging operation, contact Macfarlane packaging today.